Last week Johannesburg woke up to a blanket of mist. This caused havoc on the roads particularly in Benoni where at least 50 people were injured in crashes on the N12. This is what MasterDrive says you need to do when driving in misty conditions:
- If weather reports are warning about misty and dangerous conditions, take an alternate route if possible.
- Ensure your windows are always clean on the inside and out as dirty windows reduce visibility.
- Do not put your lights on bright. Light reflects off the mist making it even more difficult to see.
- Rather use your regular headlights or the fog lights.
- Avoid using your emergency lights unnecessarily as they are often more distracting to other drivers.
- Avoid replacing your fog lights with ones that have a blue hue, it reduces visibility in fog.
- Adjust your speed for the conditions and drive more slowly.
- Keep a larger following distance between yourself and the car in front.
- Open your window. You will hear what is going on outside which will aid your reactions. It also speeds up demisting.
- You should always use the sides of the road as a guide to avoid cars which may be too close to the centre line or whose headlights might be distracting.
- Check if your windscreen wipers or demister can increase your visibility.
- Avoid sudden lane changes or erratic driving.
- Avoid aggressive driving. Remain patient and calm.
- Do not pull over unless you can get well off the road. Drivers may not see that you are stationary.
- If the fog becomes extremely thick do not stop in the middle of the road, find a safe place to pull over.
- Keep an extra eye out for drivers that may not have any lights on.
- Signal early and start braking well before time.
- Avoid any form of distracted driving
If you would like to find out more about defensive driving, give MasterDrive a call on 086 110 0618 or visit their website at www.masterdrive.co.za
